Welcome to this week’s Sparks Plus – your quick, practical boost for clearer, more confident English.
Six short sections, all easy to read and use right away.

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1️⃣ Quick Win

Should you say write to me or write me?

Both exist, but the difference is context.

✔ Write to me when you arrive. → (neutral, used everywhere)
✔ Write me soon! → (more common in American English, informal)

If you’re unsure, “write to me” is always safe.

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2️⃣ Real-World English in Action

Denglish rescue:
A client said: I’ll make you aware about the changes.

In English, we say:
✔ I’ll make you aware of the changes.
Or even simpler:
✔ I just wanted to let you know about the changes.

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3️⃣ Christine’s Pick

Teach Us About Ukraine (VOA Learning English)
A special series of essays and lessons written by English teachers in Ukraine — sharing stories about life, culture, and history.
It’s a wonderful way to learn English and discover more about the people behind the language.
Explore it here.

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4️⃣ Reader Question

Q: Should I write Please find attached or Please find enclosed in an email?
A: Use attached for emails, enclosed for letters.

✔ Please find attached the updated file.
✔ The signed form is attached.

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5️⃣ AI Prompt to Test

Try this in ChatGPT:

“I’m a German professional speaking English at work. List 5 typical mistakes I might make – and show me the better version for each one.”

Builds awareness gently, without correction stress.

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6️⃣ Spotlight

Need help writing LinkedIn posts faster. without sounding like a robot?

I use MagicPost to plan, create and manage posts about 10x faster.
It helps you stay consistent, save hours every week and keep your real voice.

Why I recommend it
– No more blank-screen panic or writer’s block
– Ideas and structure appear instantly
– Keeps your tone natural – not “AI-generated”
– Great if you want to post regularly but still sound like you

Try MagicPost here. (affiliate link – it’s what I use myself!)

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I want to say the German word for “quotation marks”… and my brain suddenly packs its bags and leaves the room.

It happens to me all the time.

In my panic, I usually reach for Gänsefüßchen or Tüddelchen. They’re adorable. Maybe that’s why I never remember the official term (Anführungszeichen!).

And here’s something fun.
German and English quotation marks don’t even look the same.

German starts at the bottom (99) and ends at the top (66).
English keeps both at the top. First 66. Then 99.

Take a really close look… „this“ rather than “this.”

Cute detail. Many people don’t know it.

And if you want to impress your English-speaking friends, drop “quotation marks” or “inverted commas” into the conversation.
Works like a charm.

As a trained bilingual secretary, I’ve always had a soft spot for punctuation.
What about you? Do these tiny marks matter to you too?

If you’ve ever tried to say Ich drücke dich ganz feste in English, you’ve probably noticed it sounds a bit strange.
“I press you very tightly” is not quite the cosy message you want to send.

What you mean is simple.
A warm hug.
A squeeze full of care.
A little “I’m with you.”

English just doesn’t have the same sweet phrase.
So people usually say:

“I’m sending you a big hug.”
or
“A big hug to you.”

And honestly, the real thing speaks for itself.
Next time you see your English-speaking friend, just give them that proper squeeze. They’ll get it.

Small note for today.
Not everything translates.
But warmth always does.

Is there another phrase in your language that never quite works in English?

Today’s session was… lively. With Sara and Frank.

Frank nodded as if he was born speaking English. Sara looked at me as if her brain had taken a secret holiday.

We talked about two English tenses that sound simple but confuse almost everyone:

Simple present
For things that happen regularly.
“I always forget English grammar.”

Present continuous
For things happening right now.
“I am learning English… and slowly losing my mind.”

Then it clicked for Sara.

“I run a business.”
Simple present. Something she always does.

“But right now, I am learning English.”
Present continuous. Something happening at this moment.

Suddenly she was unstoppable.
“I always struggle with English… but I am improving right now!”

Frank looked shocked.
Sara looked proud.
I looked happy.

Progress is progress.
And yes. She is improving.

Next week we’ll look at the past.
Wish us luck.

Which English tense gives you the biggest headache?

It’s the fear of them.

We all mix up affect and effect, it’s and its.
Even native speakers do. They just don’t worry about it.

Confidence doesn’t come from knowing every rule.
It comes from forgiving yourself faster.

So next time you spot a mistake, don’t panic.
Smile.
You’re learning. You’re human. You’re communicating.

That’s how fluency grows… not through perfection, but through permission.

🔥 Try this:
Notice one small “mistake” today and let it go.
See how much lighter that feels.